U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

New York cop Daniel Rodriguez says he has much to celebrate at tonight’s The Spirit of America concert with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. For one thing, he marks 20 years of sobriety. “There have been a lot of dark roads I’ve walked along,” he says. “Singing is where I can do the most good for the most people.”

The 43-year-old operatic tenor shot to fame as “the singing policeman” in the aftermath of 9/11. A patrolman by day, Rodriguez used to perform at Lions, Moose, and Elk lodges at night. After the terrorist attacks, N.Y.C. mayor Rudy Giuliani asked Rodriguez to belt out the national anthem at a Yankees game. Rodriguez was soon singing at the White House, Madison Square Garden, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. Tonight’s show features inspirational standards like “God Bless America.” “You’ll remember me as the person who lifted the country and gave it consolation at the time it needed it,” Rodriguez says.
Fri., May 25, 8 p.m.